"If an IBM shop running Tivoli management software wants to integrate MySQL into their infrastructure, that has not been very easy because Tivoli doesn't support MySQL," Zmanda's CEO, Chander Kant, explains to El Reg. "We are filling that gap."

Kant told us that the Tivoli option comes after nine months of development and testing at the behest of its customers — in particular, one key retailer (who he couldnbame) that essentially funded the software's creation by paying for an early version of the product. TRM-TSM also earned the "Ready for IBM Tivoli" software validation seal over at Big Blue.

The option lets admins schedule full and incremental backups of MySQL, based on system resources and backup policies using either the schedule for TSM or ZRM. It supports all MySQL Storage Engines, including InnoDB and MyISAM, according to Zmanda.

Kant said he expects the typical ZRM-TSM will be mid-sized to enterprise shops getting their feet wet with web applications.

"Organizations who are running IBM hardware and software for their data center operations are now bringing quote unquote enterprise 2.0-style applications inside the data center, which are typical powered by MySQL," he said.

Kant added that after tackling Zmanda's Tivoli-control option, the company is next considering making similar ties to Symantec or HP Data Center.

ZRM-TSM requires a subscription for ZRM server (ranging from $300 to $750 per MySQL server annually). Adding the option itself to ZRM 3.1 costs $1000 per Tivoli server annually for standard support or $1500 for premium. A subscription comparison chart is viewable here. ®